What happens first?

Nothing prohibits a person from announcing their intention to become a candidate prior to filing Form DS-DE 9, as long as:

NO bank account is open

NO contributions are received

NO expenditures are made

NO signatures are obtained on a candidate petition

Form DS-DE 9, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates is the first document that must be filed with the filing officer to become a candidate. At the same time, the candidate must designate the office for which he or she is running. A candidate can appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a campaign depository at any time, but no later than the date the candidate qualifies for office.

What is a Candidate?

A candidate is defined in 97.021(6), Florida Statues, as any person to whom any one or more of the following applies:

Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process;

Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate;

Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office;

Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository; or

Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath as required by law.

However, this definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive committee.

Who can be a Candidate?

Anyone who is not a registered member of another political party other than the one under which they are filing/qualifying;

Anyone who has not been a candidate for nomination for any other political party for a period of 365 days before the beginning of qualifying.

Write-In candidate must meet the residency requirement of the office sought.

NOTE...

County Commission candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of being elected to office;

School Board candidates must reside in the district for which they are qualifying at the time of qualifying;

If required, one's current position or office must be resigned under the "resigned to run" law. The written resignation must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the first day of qualifying for the office he/she intends to seek (99.012(3), Florida Statutes).

When do I announce my candidacy?

Candidacy may be announced at any time;

Must file Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9) with the Supervisor of Elections' office BEFORE any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made (106.021, Florida Statutes);*

Must file a Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84) within ten (10) days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (106.023, Florida Statutes).*

* Excluding Special District candidates who do not intend to collect or expend campaign funds.

Is it possible to run for a different office after I become a candidate?

Yes, permitted under 106.021(1)(a), Florida Statutes, you may change your mind and run for a different office after becoming a candidate, providing that you:

File a new Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, designating the new office;

Within 15 days of the new appointment, notify, in writing, all contributors and offer to return their contributions pro rata. The Request for Return of Contributions (Form DS-DE 86) may be used for such purpose;

If, after 30 days from this notice, the contributor has not requested his contribution to be returned, you may use the funds in the campaign for your newly designated office.

Brian E. Corley

Mailing Address:

Contact:

Under Florida law, F.S. 668.6076, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request,
do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.